UAE Buys C-17s, Seeks Tactical Transports

The UAE’s transport fleet has become very capable, and continues to improve, even without new C-130s. Beyond the 6 new C-17s and VIP/specialty planes, the force has 7 CN-235 light tactical transports, and is beginning to add 3 new A330 MRTT aerial tankers & transports with very good capacity for passengers or cargo pallets. At the lowest end, a set of 7 Cessna 208B Caravans offer tremendous short-range, small-load flexibility.

AMROC is a joint venture of the UAE’s Mubadala Aerospace, Sikorsky Aerospace Services, and Lockheed Martin. Like the C-130s, AMMROC is based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and work is scheduled to start within the next 8 months.

A number of countries are completing similar C-130 modifications, including Sweden, South Korea, Israel, and until recently the United States. The transition involves replacing many of the analog displays with a digital “glass” cockpit, navigation that adds new features like GPS, and updated communications and flight protocols that allow unrestricted flight in civil airspace. These refits are usually coupled with some level of structural refurbishment, to ensure that the airframes will last another 10-15 years and justify the modernization.

Given all of the new high-performance assets entering service, once the C-130 modernization is done, it’s hard to see a pressing need for the UAE to buy new medium tactical transports. Gulfnews.

Keep reading for the whole story with recent events put in context

UAE C-17: 1st delivery
(click to view full)

The biggest news from the 2009 IDEX exhibition was the UAE’s twin selections of medium (12 Lockheed C-130J) and heavy (4 Boeing C-17) transport aircraft. Estimates at the time placed the total value at AED 10.7 billion (about $2.78 billion), but the estimates were low for the C-17, and would likely rise further if the C-130 order also goes through. The C-17 order later rose to a confirmed contract for 6 planes, and negotiations remain in progress for the C-130J-30 buy.

Given the country’s geographic position, and the global shortage of military airlift capacity outside of the United States, a force of this size and quality can be parlayed into international influence by supporting multi-national military deployments and humanitarian efforts from Africa to South Asia, and around the world.

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The Persian Gulf(click to view full)

Dubai, UAE was hit hard by the global economic downturn and by November 2009, by its own debt crisis. It remains a business center in the Middle East, nonetheless. The Emirati Royal Family’s seat at Abu Dhabi has extensive oil and gas deposits, as well as a sovereign wealth fund worth several hundred billion dollars.

In the end, the UAE would see Gulf Cooperation Council partner Qatar’s 2 C-17s, and raise them by 4, creating the world’s 3rd largest fleet of these long-range strategic transport aircraft after the USA and Britain. That mobility translates into global presence, and greater global influence, at a median cost estimate of around $2 billion.

All 6 C-17As have now arrived in the UAE.

The C-17s and their rough airfield capabilities were expected to be paired with a future AED 5.9 billion (about $1.6 billion) deal for 12 of Lockheed Martin’s similarly flexible C-130J-30 medium-range tactical transports. The combination would give the UAE’s military considerable mobility within the country, and beyond, but the deal has hung fire since 2009. Subsequent news reports have included talks with Brazil about their KC-390 jets, and a 2013 contract to modernize their 6 C-130H planes indicates that the UAE isn’t in a hurry to pull the trigger on new replacements.

The UAE’s transport fleet has become very capable, and continues to improve, even without new C-130s. Beyond the C-17s and VIP/specialty planes, the force has 7 CN-235 light tactical transports, and is beginning to add 3 new A330 MRTT aerial tankers & transports with very good capacity for passengers or cargo pallets. At the lowest end, a set of 7 Cessna 208B Caravans offer tremendous short-range, small-load flexibility.

AMROC is a joint venture of the UAE’s Mubadala Aerospace, Sikorsky Aerospace Services, and Lockheed Martin. Like the C-130s, AMMROC is based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and work is scheduled to start within the next 8 months.

A number of countries are completing similar C-130 modifications, including Sweden, South Korea, Israel, and until recently the United States. The transition involves replacing many of the analog displays with a digital “glass” cockpit, navigation that adds new features like GPS, and updated communications and flight protocols that allow unrestricted flight in civil airspace. These refits are usually coupled with some level of structural refurbishment, to ensure that the airframes will last another 10-15 years and justify the modernization.

Given all of the new high-performance assets entering service, once the C-130 modernization is done, it’s hard to see a pressing need for the UAE to buy new medium tactical transports any time soon. Gulfnews.

Aug 1/12: The US DSCA announces [PDF] the UAE’s official request to buy 2 spare F117-PW-100 engines for its fleet of 6 C-17As, at an estimated cost of $35 million.

That’s actually a bit high, based on standard contract prices, but exact prices will depend on negotiations with the prime contractor, Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, CT.

2 spare engines requested

June 20/12: #6 delivered.Boeing announces that it delivered the 6th and final C-17 Globemaster III to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence “earlier this month” at the company’s final assembly facility in Long Beach, CA.

May 22/12: #5 delivered.Boeing announces that it delivered the UAE’s 5th C-17 earlier this month, at a ceremony in Long Beach, CA. Since the UAE received its 1st aircraft, the fleet has more than 2,000 flight hours, carrying over 3,000 total passengers and nearly 4 million pounds of cargo. Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift vice president and C-17 program manager:

“It’s amazing to see all that the UAE has accomplished with its fleet of C-17s in such a short time, including standing up a new base; qualifying three aircraft commanders and four mission-ready loadmasters; and conducting humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions… With a mission-capable rate above 90 percent, UAE C-17s are ready to save lives and deliver hope whenever they are needed.”

Sept 26/11: #4 delivered. Boeing delivers the 4th UAE C-17, at a ceremony in Long Beach, CA. The last 2 will follow in 2012. Boeing.

July 29/11: #3 delivered. Boeing delivers the 3rd C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence, at the C-17 program’s final assembly facility in Long Beach. Boeing.

May 10/11: #1 delivered. Boeing delivers the UAE’s 1st C-17A heavy airlifter, at a ceremony in Long Beach, CA. The UAE will take delivery of 3 more C-17s in 2011, and 2 in 2012. Boeing.

April 28/11: A $7.3 million fixed-price contract modification to provide FY 2011 C-17 Global Sustainment Partnership support for the UAE Air Force and Air Defense’s fleet of 6 C-17s (vid. Jan 6/10 entry). Funds include both advance preparation, and service to the C-17s delivered in FY 2011.

At this point, all funds are committed. Work will be performed in Long Beach, CA, and the United Arab Emirates (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00407).

2009 – 2010

C-17 request & contract; C-130J request; KC-390 instead?

KC-390 sign-on?(click to view full)

Sept 21/10: KC-390s instead? Reports indicate that Brazil and the UAE are negotiating an an umbrella agreement for military cooperation, with sales of Super Tucano trainer/light attack turboprops and KC-390 tactical transports as key building blocks. Brazilian defense minister Nelson Jobim told reporters that Brazil would present the UAE with a draft agreement within 2 weeks, and hopes the deal could be signed within 2 months of a mutual draft.

The UAE would be a very significant customer. Negotiations to complement its C-17As with 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules planes have been bogged down for 18 months. A switch to the KC-390, and participation in its development, would attract considerable notice in global military circles, and offer a bridge to further middle eastern sales. Abu Dhabi’s The National.

May 26/10: The US DSCA announces [PDF] the UAE’s formal request to buy support and training for another 2 C-17s being procured through a Direct Commercial Sale, plus 2 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 4 AN/ARC-210 (RT-1794C) HAVE QUICK II Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems, 2 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Sets, and other military-related support including communication and navigation equipment, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, preparation of aircraft for shipment, ferry support, and other U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services.

The estimated cost is up to $250 million, with exact costs to be determined once a contract is negotiated. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of additional U.S. Government and contractor representatives to the UAE, with exact numbers to be determined.

See also the Dec 18/09 entry, which covers a similar support request for the UAE’s first 4 C-17s. With this request, all 6 C-17s would be covered.

Support request up to 6 C-17s

March 28/10:A BBC report shines some light on the somewhat cryptic DSCA references to UAE aircraft and Afghanistan:

“The BBC’s security correspondent, Frank Gardner, can reveal that Arab soldiers have been taking part in dangerous missions alongside US troops in Afghanistan.

Troops from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been delivering humanitarian aid to their fellow Muslims and, on occasion, fighting their way out of Taleban ambushes. Though Jordanian forces have been carrying out some base security duties, the UAE’s troops are the only Arab soldiers undertaking full-scale operations in the country. Until now, their deployment has been kept so secret that not even their own countrymen knew they were here.”

C-17: Liftoff!(click to view full)

Jan 6/10: Boeing announces a contract with the UAE for 6 C-17A heavy airlifters, a 50% increase over earlier reports. Under the agreement, the UAE will take delivery of 4 C-17s in 2011, and 2 more in 2012, and will join the C-17 Globemaster Sustainment Partnership. Despite the lack of previous DSCA approval announcements for the aircraft sale itself, and the use of Direct Commercial Sales for C-17 customers like Canada and Qatar in the past, Boeing has confirmed to DID that this is a Foreign Military Sale acquisition.

Financial terms are not being disclosed, but the UAE’s Waha Capital PJSC issues a release, citing the closure of an AED 6.7 billion (USD 1.8 billion) military deal, which includes the purchase of 3 Airbus A330-MRTT aerial refueling and transport aircraft, and 6 C-17s. The release places the A330 deal at AED 4.4 billion/ $1.2 billion, and the C-17 deal at AED 2.3 billion/ $634 million… but standard prices for both aircraft suggest that those figures should probably be reversed. Military defensive systems and ongoing support arrangements will add another $500 million to the C-17 deal, per the recent DSCA request, and some ancillary military budget costs can also be expected. That pushes the estimated total cost of buying the new C-17s and making them ready for operations to somewhere between $1.7 – 2.2 billion.

Dec 28/09: The US DSCA announces [PDF] the United Arab Emirates’ official request to buy logistics support and training for 12 C-130J-30 aircraft being procured through a Direct Commercial Sale, as opposed to a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) that is subject to more stringent notification and review criteria. C-130s also have civilian versions, and may not necessarily be designated as military items under ITAR laws.

On the other hand, FMS notification rules do apply to the 12 AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning Systems, 12 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Sets, and 12 AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receivers, which the UAE will need in order to operate its C-130J-30s under combat conditions. This FMS notification also covers unspecified “communication equipment,” mission planning systems, navigation equipment, aircraft ferry and refueling support, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, and U.S. Government and contractor support.

The estimated cost is $119 million, the principal contractor will be Lockheed-Martin of Bethesda, MD, and implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the United Arab Emirates. DSCA does add, as they have for the UAE’s recent CH-47F, and C-17A requests, that:

“The proposed sale will provide the United Arab Emirates the capability to transport equipment and troops in the region, and support U.S. and NATO airlift requirements in Afghanistan.”

“The proposed sale will provide the United Arab Emirates (UAE) the capability to transport equipment and troops in the region, as well as, to support U.S. and NATO airlift requirements in Afghanistan.”

The UAE’s exact request includes support, training and related systems for 4 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft being procured through a Direct Commercial Sale (as opposed to a Foreign Military Sale), plus ancillary military equipment to include 5 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 5 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Sets, 10 AN/ARC-210 (RT-1794C) HAVE QUICK II Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), plus ferry support, communication and navigation equipment, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, preparation of aircraft for shipment, and other related elements of US government and contractor support.

While DSCA requests are not contracts, they are required before contracts can be issued. This official request, and its clearance, may indicate that a formal contract is close. The estimated cost is up to $501 million, the prime contractor will be the Boeing Company of Chicago, IL, and implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of additional U.S. Government and contractor representatives to the UAE. The number of representatives required, and exact cost, will be determined in joint negotiations.